Winding apparatus



May 19, 1959 W. BAKKER 2,887,279

WINDING APPARATUS Filed Juiy 1v, 1956 v s sheets-sheet 1 10 y i j' A lINVENTOR ATTORNEY May 19, 1959 Filed July 17, 1956 W. BAKKER WINDINGAPPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY May 19, 1959 w. BAKKER l WINDINGAPPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 17, 1956 INVENTIOR Willemalcker BY22d 79.7%@

ATTORNEY United States ,Patent O WINDING APPARATUS Willem Bakker,Arnhem, Netherlands, assigner to American Enka Corporation, Erika, N.C.,a corporation of Delaware This invention relates to winding apparatus,and more particularly to improvements in winding apparatus of the typein which the surface of the package being wound frictionally engages andis driven by a rotating surface in order that a constant winding speedcan be maintained despite changes in the diameter of the packageincident to the winding on. l In prior art machines of this generaltype, the `spool on which the thread is wound has coaxial projectingends which ride in a slot, the slot being provided to compensate for theshift of the position of the bobbin axis due to growth of the yarn bodyon the spool. While these devices have been used for many years and aresatisfactory, they suffer from the disadvantage of requiring accuratemachining of the end faces of the spools and accurate location of thespool shafts in order to provide a machine capable of winding a smooth,even, right cylindrical package, free of defects.

It is the object of the present invention to improve upon the prior artand to provide an arrangement whereby spool holders of only roughaccuracy may be used in the winding of packagesof excellentcharacteristics as to shape, surface and density.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide arrangementsin which the support of the spool is satisfactory for either loose, lowdensity or tight, high density winding.

It is proposed according to the present invention to resiliently supportthe spool holder from its periphery rather than from its axis andautomatically to maintain perfect alignment between the surface of thespool and the driving drum therefor, whereby packages of excellentquality can be produced irrespective of the over-al1 accuracy of thespool.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description of severalembodiments thereof in conjunction with the annexed drawings, wherein:

.Figure l is a top plan view of a winding spool mounting arrangementaccording to the present invention;

`Figure 2 is a view in cross section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view `in section and to an enlarged scale,taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a modified type of spool supportingarrangement according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 5--5 ofFigure 4;

Figure 6 is a view in section and to an enlarged scale taken on the line6-6 of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a view in section and to an enlarged scale taken on the line7--7 of Figure 5.

` Referring now to Figures l-3, inclusive, in greater detail,` themachine illustrated is a portion of a twosided winding machine of thetype having winding stations opposite one another to be servedfromparallel Y, 2,887,279 Patented Mayr 19, 1959,

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chine, the numerals 10 and 11 represent spools on which convolutions ofthread or yarn are wound. The right hand spool 11 has convolutions ofyarn or thread 12 thereon, while the left hand spool 10 is depicted inFigures l and 2 as being empty. It can be seen that the spools 10 and 11are simply hollow cylinders. These cylinders and the convolutions ofyarn which are laid up thereon are driven by surface contact withrollers 13 and 14, respectively. These rollers are driven from a lsourcenot shown and impart rotation to the spools 10 and 11 through surfacecontact as can be seen in the left hand corner of Figure 2. A suitabletraverse mechanism, not shown, distributes the yarn lengthwise of thespool for an -axial distance somewhat less than the length of the spoolitself. See the right hand side of Figure l.

The foregoing description is applicable to any type of surface drivenwinding machine. The present invention is directed to the mounting ofthe spools by which superior winding results are achieved. To this endthere are provided two forked members, the tines 15 and 16 of whichembrace respectively the ends of spools 10 and 11. The forked members 15and 16 are mounted for rotation about a shaft 17 which is supported in apair of spaced chine frame 22 by an interconnecting central member 23held `against the machine frame at two spaced points by bolts 24. i jFor reasons of strength and rigidity, the arms of the fork 15 areinterconnected by bars 15a annd 15b and the arms 16 of that forkedmember are similarly connected by bars 16a and 16b. It will be notedthat the bars 15b and 16b lie on the opposite side of the pivot 17;lfrom the respective spool. It can be seen that the coa'ction betweenthe bar 15b and the` U member 21 limits the clockwise rotation of thearms 15 about the pivot 17. It is likewise seen that the bar 15 and theU member 20 similarly function to limit the counterclockwise rotation ofthe arm 16 about the pivot 17. On top of the bar 15b there is aprojection 25 in which there is anchored one end of a spring 26, theother end of which is anchored to a part of the U member 201. Thisspring extends between its anchorage points in tension and `exertssuflicient force to counteract the effect of gravity and thereby liftthe arm 15 or to hold it in a clockwise direction as far as it will gowhen it is empty, i.e., when there is no spool held therein. A similarprojection 22 on the bar 16b anchors a spring 28, the other end of whichis anchored in the U member 21. This spring runs in tension between itsanchorage points and serves to bias the fork 16 in a counterclockwisedirection as far as it can go, holding it in that position when there isno spool therebetween. l

It can now be seen that the arms 15 and 16 are pivotal ly mounted andare normally biased to their uppermost or lraised position. These `armsare equipped with pairs of bearing rollers 29 and 30, one of which isshown in `full detail in Figure 3. These rollers are provided withbearing surfaces that support the spools from their edges orperipherally in a manner that can be best appreciated by concurrentstudy of Figures 13, inclusive. The details of each roller will bedescribed in conjunction with the enlarged roller 29 shown in Figure 3with the understanding that the structural features thereof are commonto all of the rollers 29 and 30. The roller 29 has a flat face at 31extending in a `plane normal 'to `the axis of the shaft 17 and twosloping faces 32 and 33, spaced by l, an axially extending ystapt-)er1face 34.l This face 34 in effect provides a short cylinder with a baseflange which is the face 33. The surface or face 34 bears against theouter periphery of the end of the spool 11 as can be seen in vthedrawings. The whole of the 'roller 29 'is mounted on anti-frictionbearings 35 which are suitably mounted ina socket at the end of the arm16.

If how, reference is again made to Figures l and 2, it will be 'seenthat the arms 15 and 16 are provided with pins 36. These 'pins are'spring-pressed to extend into the interior of vthe respective S-pOOlS,but vtheyy 'are manually retractable against the spring which projectsthem in order that the spool, such fas the spool lf), can be moved pastthem into the position which it occupies in the drawing from an originalposition somewhat like that shown in conjunction with spool 11 inFigures 1 and 2.

` To begin a .winding operation, the resiliently projecting pins 36 aredepressed, and an empty spool, such as 16, is put inthe position whichthe spool llo occupies as it is shown in Figure 2. In this position,itis peripherally guided by two rollers 29 and two rollers 3o. Itsweight is sufiicient vto overcome the bias of spring 26 so 'that n thespool rests lightly but firmly in driving engagement with the roller 13.As winding progresses, the coils of yarn will lift the spool 10 off ofthe surface of the roller 13, but in doing so, will 'relieve the Weightborne byrolle'rs 29 and 30 to such an extent that the spring willforthwith restore the rollers 29 and 3@ to their former relationship tothe spool. This will continue until a package of adequate size has beenwound. If then, the operator desires to disconnect the package fromdriving relation with its respective roller 13 or 14, he merelydepresses the pins 36 and lifts the spool to a position illustrated bythe position of the spool 11 at the right of Figure l.

-It can be seen lfrom Figures 1-3, inclusive, that the arrangement forsupporting the spools Ilo and 11 is one of peripheral suspension, thespool being suspended at four points in axially spaced pairs, the pointsat each end being le'ss -than the diameter of the spool in the sense Vofbeing separated by a chordwise distance smaller than the diameter.

In Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, there is sho-wn a modification of theinvention in which the supporting rollers are arranged above, ratherthan below, the horizontal diameter of the spool. While this arrangementis quite similar to that shown in Figure '1, there are enoughditferences to warrant separate numbers to identify the parts. InFigures 5-7, inclusive, the spools bear numerals 37 and 38, being drivenrespectively by rollers 39 and 40. The Spool 37 is depicted as empty,while spool 38 is shown as having a package of yarn 41 wound thereon.The driving of the spools and the traverse mechanisms are notyillustrated but are conventional as described in conjunction withFigure l. The spool 37 is glided in driven relation to the roller 39 bya fork having arms 42. A similar fork having arms 43 guides the spool38. The arms 42 and 43 are mounted about a common pivot 44 which issupported from the frame of the machine 45 in the same manner as theshaft 17. Bars 42a and 42b interconnect the arms 42 on opposite sides ofthe pivot 44. Similar arms 43a and 43b interconnect the arms 43 onopposite sides of the pivot 44. The spring 46 extends between the bar42a and the channel member 47. A similar :spring 48 extends between thebar 43a and the channel member 49. These springs, unlike springs 26 and28, are mounted in such a way as to supplement the Veffect of gravityand thereby lower the respective arms rather than raise them. In otherwords, the spring `46 functions 'to bias the arm 42 vforcounterclockwise movement about the axis 44 while lthe spring 4S acts tobias the arm 43 to clockwise movement about that axis. As in the case ofthe embodiment of Figures 1 3, inclusive, rollers 50 and 51 function tobear peripherally on 'the edge of the spools to hold and guide them in4contact with asevera the respective driving rollers. In the case ofFigure 6, the vroller -50 has an external surface just like the roller29. This is likewise true of the external configuration of the roller 51in Figure 7. A pin 52 extending through the arm 42 supports a ballbearing 53 which in turn supports the roller 5t) for free rotation. Inthe case of the roller 51, one of the arms 43 supports a hollow sleeve54 which contains an internal spring 55 which biases ball bearingassembly 56, and With it roller 51, 'away from that air-m43 and towardthe opposite arm 43 to accommodate a spool of less than normal length.The spring 55 is guided by a pin 57 which is coaxial with the bearing 56and a pin 58 which projects from a cylindrical piece S9 that is held bya tapered pin 60. The cylinder 54 is slotted at 61 to allow for limitedaxial shifting of the roller 51 as may be required.

It will be appreciated that the spring pressed guide roller, such as theroller 51 shown in Figure 7, finds its principal utility in preventingaxial shifting of a spool of improper length, such axial shifting havinga bad effect upon the quality of the winding. If two spring pressedguide rollers, such as 5l, were used at opposite ends of the spool, theadvantage might not be achieved. It is therefore intended, according tothe present inven tion, so to pair the rollers 59 and 51 that the springpressed roller is at one end of the spool and the aligned roller at theopposite end is not spring pressed but may, for example, have the.appearance of the roller 5`0 of Figure '6. yIn other Wo-rds, tworollers 5t) and two rollers 51 will conform to the Figure 7 appearance,while two rollers 50 and two rollers 51 will correspond to the Figure 6appearance, the spring pressed and the axially xed rollers beingarranged in pairs at opposite ends of the spool.

As was the case with Figures 143, inclusive, the embodiment of Figures4-7., inclusive, involves an arrangement for holding the spool above itsdriving cylinder when it is full. This is depicted to the right ofFigure 5 where the spool 38 is shown as suspended from pins 62 mountedon projections 63 extending from the ends of the arms 43. See Figure 7.A notch is cut out at 64 in order that the spool .may be accommodated inthat notch while it is slipped over the pin 62 which extends from theopposite arm. A quite similar arrangement is shown in conjunction withthe arms 42.

In describing the apparatus of Figures 1-3, inclusive, it was pointedout that the weight of the spool retains it in contact with its drivingroller. Actually, a part of the weight is borne by the spring 26 or 28as the case may be. Accordingly, the arrangement of Figures 1-3,inclusive, Ais intended primarily for a loose winding operation. On theother hand, the arrangement of Figures 4 and`5 is one lin which thesprings 46 and 48 function additively to supplement the Weight of thespools, rather than subtractively to counteract this weight.Accordingly, a much more dense wind is possible with that arrangement.The arrangements have features in common, however, in that they bothguide the spool by contacting its periphery at spaced points which arearranged in axially aligned pairs at opposite ends of the spool and botharrangements utilize a resilient biasing means separate from butoperating in conjunction with the normal effect of gravity on thealigned rollers and supporting means therefor, inone instancecounteracting and 'in the other instance supplementing thisgravitational effect, as explained hereinabove.

It 'can be seen that the shape of the bars 15b and 16b and the shape ofthe U members 20 and 21 is such ythat a stop is provided limiting thearcuate movement of the respective forks .in both directions. The sameis also true of the corresponding k'structural parts of AFigure :5.Thus, when the spool is supported by the pins 36, `:as at `the righthand of Figure 2, `or on the pins 62, as at the rig-ht hand of Figure 5,the fork lever will not fall beyond the limited position.

What is claimed is:`

l. In a winding machine, means presenting a spool driving surface, aspool on which thread is to be wound, freely rotatable rollersperipherally guiding the spool for rotation with the yarn body thereonin tangential relation to said driving surface, means supporting saidrollers in axially aligned pairs circumferentially spaced around thesurface of the spool with the rollers of each pair engaging theperiphery of the spool adjacent its opposite ends, means mounting saidroller supporting means for guided movement toward and away from saidspool driving surface and resilient means separate from but operating inconjunction with gravity anchored to said roller supporting means forbiasing said rollers into contact with said spool.

2. In a winding machine, means presenting a spool driving surface, aspool on which thread is to be wound, freely rotatable rollersperipherally guiding the spool for rotation with the yarn body thereonin tangential relaltion to said driving surface, means supporting saidrollers in axially aligned pairs circumferentially spaced around thesurface of the spool above the horizontal diameter thereof with therollers of each pair engaging the periphery of the spool adjacent itsopposite ends, means mounting said roller supporting means for guidedmovement toward and away from said spool driving surface and meansseparate from but operating in conjunction with gravity for resilientlybiasing said roller supporting means toward said spool driving surface.

3. In a winding machine, means presenting a spool driving surface, aspool on which thread is to be wound, freely rotatable rollersperipherally guiding the spool for rotation with the yarn body thereonin tangential relation to said driving surface, means supporting saidrollers in axially aligned pairs circumferentially spaced around thesurface of the spool below the horizontal diameter thereof with therollers of each pair engaging the periphery of the spool adjacent itsopposite ends, means mounting said roller supporting means for guidedmovement toward and away from said spool driving surface and meansseparate from but operating in conjunction with gravity for resilientlybiasing said roller supporting means away from said spool drivingsurface, the bias being insuicient to overcome the weight of an emptyspool.

4. In a winding machine, means presenting a spool driving surface, aspool on which thread is to be wound, two pairs of freely rotatablerollers peripherally guiding the spool for rotation with the yarn bodythereon in tangential relation to said driving surface, a fork havingtines supporting said rollers in axially aligned pairscircumferentiallyspaced around the surface of the spool with the rollersof each pair engaging the periphery of the spool adjacent its oppositeends, a shaft mounting said fork for arcuate movement of the rollerstoward and away from the spool driving surface and resilient meansseparate from but operating in conjunction with gravity anchored to saidfork for biasing said rollers into contact with said spool.

5. In a winding machine, means presenting a spool driving surface, aspool on which thread is to be wound, freely rotatable rollersperipherally guiding the spool for rotation with Ithe yarn body thereonin tangential relation to said driving surface, a fork having tinessupporting said rollers in axially aligned pairs` circumferentiallyspaced around the surface of the spool with the rollers of each pairengaging the periphery of the spool adjacent its opposite ends, a shaftmounting said fork for arcuate movement of the rollers toward and awayfrom the spool driving surface, means to limit the arcuate movement ofthe fork and resilient means separate from but opera-ting in conjunctionwith gravity anchored to said fork for biasing 4said rollers intocontact with said spool.

6. ln a winding machine, means presenting a spool driving surface, aspool on which thread is to be wound, freely rotatable rollersperipherally guiding the spool for rotation with the yarn body thereonin tangential relation to said driving surface, means supporting saidrollers in axially aligned pairs circumferentially spaced around thesurface of the spool with the rollers: of each pair engaging theperiphery of the spool adjacent its opposite ends, means resilientlybiasing one roller of each pair toward the other roller of that pair andmeans mounting said roller supporting means for guided movement towardand away from said spool driving surface.

7. In a winding machine, means presenting a spool driving surface, aspool on which thread is to be wound, freely rotatable rollersperipherally guiding the spool for rotation with the yarn body thereonin tangential relation to said driving surface, a fork having tinessupporting said rollers in axially aligned pairs circumferentiallyspaced around the surface of the spool with the rollers of each pairengaging the periphery of the spool adjacent its opposite ends, a shaftmounting said fork for arcuate movement of the rollers toward and awayfrom the spool driving surface, means to limit the arcuate movement ofthe fork, resilient means anchored to said fork for biasing said rollersinto contact with said spool, and axially aligned means carried onopposite tines of said forks for supporting a spool out of contact withthe spool driving surface when the fork is in its position adjacent thespool driving surface.

8. A winding machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said axiallyaligned means comprises facing, spring pressed pins, said pins beingretractable to permit the passage of a spool between the tines of saidfork.

9. A winding machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said axiallyaligned means comprises fixed pins, and wherein one of said tines has aslot formed therein to permit passage of the spool over the pinprojecting from the opposite tine in order that the spool may be raisedto a pin-supported position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,996,366 Crooks Apr. 2, 1935

